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Repkinted from the Converse Familt and Allied Families by Charles 
Allen Converse, 1H05 



Privately Printed 
Edition 50 Copies 

1907 



Edgecombe 



The following sketch of Nicholas Edgecomb of Plymouth, 
Old England, and his ancestry, by Mr. Eben Putnam, is based 
upon researches made under Ms direction among original archives 
and MSS. collections in England, and from printed sources and 
original records in New England : 

Nicholas and John Edgecombe op Plymouth, Old England, and 

New London Respectively: Their Ancestors: With Notes on the Edge- 
combe Grant, the Edgcumbes of Mount Edgcumbe, and the Edgecumbes 
of Casco Bay, Maine, by Eben Putnam. 

Nicholas Edgecombe "of Plymouth in Old England" in 1674, is described 
in the Visitation of Devonshire of 1620 as then aged eight years and the "sone 
and heyr" of "Pet. Edgcomb of Plimouth 2 sone liueing 1620." This pedi- 
gree is signed bv Thomas Edgcumbe and John Edgcumbe both of Tavis- 
tock, brother of Peter, the father of Nicholas. It is Harl. MSS. 1163 in the 
British Museum. 

The register of St. Andrews, Plymouth, contains the following entries: 

1611, Sept. 2, Peter Edgcombe and Elizabeth Colwill married. 

1612, June 21, Nicholas son of Peter Edgcombe baptized. 

1619, Nov. 30, Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Edgecombe baptized. 
166S, Oct. S, Nicholas Edgecombe and Elizabeth Tyack married. 
1677, July 3, Elizabeth, wife of Nicholas Edgecombe buried. 
1679, July S, Nicholas Edgcombe and Mary Holditch married. 

These items are all which have been gleaned which appear to throw light 
upon the life of Nicholas Edgecombe until many years after the Civil Wars, 
during which Plymouth was in an almost constant state of seige or blockade 
and repelled several assaults. Plymouth has the distinction, not shared by any 
borough in the west of England, of not changing its politics after the original 
declaration in favor of Parliament. It was a stronghold of Puritanism and 
the first borough to declare for William of Orange. 

The Mount Edgcumbe family was loyal to the King, so also were Mat- 
thew Edgcombe and his son Richard of Tavistock. 

That Nicholas Edgecombe was a royalist is probable. In 1684, Charles II 
called upon the borough of Plymouth to surrender its charter, but in June 
granted a new charter in which the corporation was named and presumably 
were stanch King's men. Nicholas Edgecombe was nominated as one of 
the first Common Council, Sir Richard Edgcumb as one of the burgesses. 
(Hist. MSS. Com., App. 9th Report, page 28.) 

The Edgecombes had long been associated with Plymouth. In 1452 a 
William Edgecombe was sworn to the Common Council (Hist. MSS. Com. 9th 
Report, p. 266; Worth's History of Plymouth, p. 71). In 1541, a William 

(1) 



Efcgecombe 



Edgecombe of Plymouth is mentioned. In 1552, Richard Edgecombe was 
M. P. for the borough. Abraham Edgecombe was constable in 1659. 

Nicholas Edgecombe was chosen Alderman in 1694, but in the new charter 
granted by William, the year following, his name is not mentioned, either 
among the Aldermen, Council or Burgesses. 

Then as now, brewing was a trade held in good repute in England, and 
in his will Nicholas describes himself as a brewer. 

Nicholas Edgecumbe of Plymouth, Devonshire; will dated 28 March 
1702, proved 9 May, 1702. To kinsmen Thomas Edgecumbe of Plymouth, 
woolen draper, and Jonathan Dipford of Plymouth, merchant, all his goods 
etc., in trust to pay his funeral charges and a debt due to Mr. John Symkin of 
Plymouth for which my kinsman Thomas Dipford the elder is bound. The 
residue, if any, to my daughter, Grace, wife of David Williams, elerke. Execu- 
tors ; the said Thomas Edgecombe, Jonathan Dipford and Bartholomew Avent . 
P. C. C, Hern 75. 

It was quite natural that he should leave his small estate to his probably 
only surviving daughter, with whom he may have lived, for his son John was 
in New England and his daughter Elizabeth had died in 1669. 

According to the Visitation of 1620, Thomas Edgcombe, brother of Peter, 
had four sons, the eldest born in 1612. The third son, Thomas, was living 
in 1644 but died soon, as the nuncupative will of his son John, a Plymouth 
merchant, was administered upon by his mother Ann, 13 February 1645. 
This son bequeathed his debts and adventures abroad to Peter Edgcombe 
his brother. P. C. C, Twisse 12. It is probable that he was that John Edge- 
combe of Piscataqua in 1640, but of whom no further trace can be found in 
New England. 

The earliest known ancestor of this ancient and reputable family is John 
de Edgecombe,' probably born about 1250, named in a deed of 1334, the source 
of information for the first three generations of the pedigree, who was the 
father of that Richard Edgecombe, 2 said to have built Edgecombe house in 
1292. Over an ancient gateway may still be read "R. E. 1292" (Ridlon:Saco 
Valley Settlements). 

Of the sons of Richard, 2 Reginald 3 was a priest, James, 3 the eldest son, 
may have died without issue, as the second son, Richard, 3 succeeded his father 
at Edgecombe in 1319. This Richard 3 was father of William, 4 the ancestor 
of the Mount Edgcumbe family, who died in 1380, and John,' his heir John' 
was succeeded by his son John 6 in 1 404, who was a party to a deed of 4th Henry 
VI, 1425. This John 5 had Richard" of Edgecombe in 1465, who was succeeded 
by his second son John,' who in turn had sons John, 8 of whom below, Richard" 
of Buckland, second son, and also an ancestor of Nicholas Edgecombe, — the 
latter's mother being daughter of his son Richard, — Roger 8 of Meavy, third 
son, Thomas" of Milton Abbot, fourth son, and Robert" of St. Erny, fifth son. 

In early writings the name is variously spelled. In an interesting deed 
of 1525 from John Wise to Sir Peter (Piers) Edgcumbe the grantee is described 
as Eggecombe. His son Sir Richard in a deed to the said Wise also calls him- 
self Eggecombe. (Western Antiquary, Vol. VI, p. 143.) 

The Visitation pedigree of 1620 commences with John Edgecombe," of 
Edgecombetown, parish of Milton, the same whom Vivian styles of Oxford 
in 1504. He had, besides Richard his son and heir (from whom descended 
Richard Edgecombe of Edgecombetown in 1620), John of Lamberton and 
Perse," who dwelt at Tavistock. This Perse" had William and Peter, younger 
sons, and John 10 his heir, who was of Tavistock and married Joan Trelawny. 
They had John," who died in Ireland, and Peter," the eldest son and heir. 
He, Peter," married Agnes, daughter of Richard Edgecombe of Tavistock, 
and had Elizabeth, wife of George Gave of Barnstable, Agnes, wife of John 
Pointer of Kedley, Joane, unmarried in 1620, Thomas, eldest son in 1620, 
who was of Plymouth in 1644-5 when his will was proved, John, third son living 
in Tavistock in 1620, — his will was proved 31 January 1660-1 — and Peter 
Edgecombe, 12 second son, who was of Plymouth in 1620. This Peter 12 married 
Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Collwell of Plymouth, and had Nicholas, 13 
"sone and heyr aet. 8: 1620," Francis, second son, and Elizabeth. 



EbGecoMbe 



In the printed Visitation the name of Nicholas is printed Peter, an error 
of the copyist and corrected by reference to the original MS. in th'e British 
Museum, Harl. MSS. 1163, fo. 106b. 

The arms confirmed to Edgecombe of Tavistock by the Heralds were 
Gules, on a bend ermine, between two cottices or, three boar's heads couped argent. 
A crescent for cadency (Heralds College records). 

Many details regarding these families will be found in Vivian's Visitations 
of Devonshire, a work based on the heraldic visitations but augmented by 
the author's researches among parish registers and courts of probate. Vivian 
also states that in completing his. pedigree of the Edgecombes he had the use 
of a MS. in possession of the Edgecombe family. The Visitation of 1620 
is printed in the Harleian Society Publications, where occurs the error noted 
above. 

Col. Vivian in the pedigree of Edgecombe of Tavistock has made two 
errors. He had the Visitation of 1620 to build on. He states that Peter Edge- 
combe the father of Nicholas was buried in 1628 at St. Botolphs Bishopsgate 




Without. No such record is found on the register, but Perse Edgecombe was 
buried that year at St. Botolphs Aldersgate,and his tomb there bears date 1628. 
This Perse was the brother of Sir Richard of Mt. Edgcumbe. The other error 
is vital and is noted below. The parish register of St. Andrews, Plymouth, 
contains the marriage record of Nicholas Edgecombe and Elizabeth daughter 
of Christopher Tyack of St. Broeck 6 October 1668, and her burial 3 July 
1677. Sir Christopher in his will of 1691 names Nicholas Edgecombe. This 
record undoubtedly refers to the second marriage of Nicholas or possibly to the 
marriage of a son who died without issue. 

No other Nicholas Edgecombe appears on the parish registers of that 
vicinity as married at an earlier date, but contemporary with him of Plymouth 
was Nicholas Edgecombe of Ermington married at that place to Joan Beare, 
25 January 1633-4. Ermington is a parish about ten miles east of Plymouth 
and the home of a branch of the Edgecombe family of local consequence. The 
registers of the parish have been carefully examined, and although difficult 
in the extreme, all facts pertaining to this branch of the family have been ob- 
tained. 

Joan the wife of Nicholas Edgecombe was buried at Ermington 5 June 
1670. Nicholas Edgecombe was buried 6 June 1678. 



y 



i£fcgecomt>e 



Vivian asserts that John Edgecombe of Plymouth, cooper, whose will 
was proved in 1711 was son of Nicholas Edgecombe. Although giving his 
burial from Charles parish register 20 July 1711, he does not seem to have 
found his baptism or other data to prove his assertion. It is doubtful if he 
had seen the will following: 

John Edgecombe of Plymouth, cooper, will dated 19 May, 1711, proved 
30 August, 1711 by Catherine Gennys, wife of John Gennys, etc. . . To the poor 
of Landulph, co. Cornwall 40 sh. To brother in law Richard Sowdon and his 
brother John Sowdon. Sister Temperance wife of said Richard Sowdon. 
Grandson John Hawkins my tenement in Landulph. Granddaughter Mary 
Hawkins £100. Grandson John Gennys, granddaughter Elizabeth Gennys, 
each £25. Sister Thomasine, wife of Walter Raine of Landulph, yeoman, 
£20, and to her daughter Elizabeth, £3. Her daughter Katherine, £3. Late 
servant Elizabeth Cundy. Brother-in-law William Gennys, of Plymouth, 
mariner, and my sons-in-law John Hawkins of Quethiocke, co. Cornwall, gent., 
John Gennys of Plymouth, merchant, a messuage wherein William Spureing 
lately lived situate in Plymouth, to the use of my daughter Katherine Gennys. 
Messuage where I now dwell, and the cellars and key belonging situate at 
Foxhole Key in Plymouth, to my said trustees for the benefit of my son Will- 
iam Edgecombe in case he return to England, and be reformed and live a sober 
life, I give him £100. Residue to said daughter Katherine Gennys who sole 
executrix. P. C. C, Young 165. 

The inference drawn from this will cannot be other than that John Edge- 
combe was one of the Cornish Edgecombes, and that in all probabilities his 
birthplace was Landulph, that he was at least seventy five years of age and 
could by no means be the son of Nicholas Edgecombe of Plymouth, especially 
by the marriage with Elizabeth Tyack. It is also noteworthy that he fails 
to name any relatives by the name except his son, nor do any of the legatees 
in this will appear by any of the numerous wills or otherwise to be connected 
with any of the Devonshire branches. 

In the face of the definite statement by John Edgecombe of New London 
that he was the son of Nicholas Edgecombe of Plymouth and as most careful 
research has failed to develop any other Nicholas Edgecombe of Plymouth 
than the one who appears in the Visitation, with the exception of a Nicholas, 
son of a John Edgecombe who was buried 24 May 1693, — the year prior 
to the election of the elder Nicholas as Alderman, — Col. Vivian's assertion, 
hitherto unchallenged, must be acknowledged to be incorrect. 

The Lay Subsidies for Devonshire for the period covering the birth of 
Nicholas Edgecombe and his youth are unusually complete. From these 
valuable contemporary records of persons taxed for land and goods we are 
able to obtain a very fair idea of the families of Edgecombe living in Devon- 
shire in his time. 

The Subsidy for 1609-10 for the Hundreds of Lifton, Plimpton, Erming- 
ton, Roborough, and Tavistock, P. R. O. 101-452, supplies the following 
information as to individuals: 

John Edgecombe of Kelley, for goods. 

John Edgecombe of Ravelstock, for lands. 

Margaret Edgecombe, widow, of Ugborough, for lands. 

Oliver Edgecombe of do, goods. 

William Edgecombe of Ermington, lands. 

Robert Edgecombe of do, goods. 

Thomas Edgecombe of do, goods. 

John Edgecombe of Harford, lands. 

John Edgecombe of Buckland Monachorum, lands. 

Christopher Edgecombe of do, lands. 

William Edgecombe of do, goods. 

Mathew Edgecombe of Tavistock, lands. 

Agnes Edgecombe, widow of do, goods. 

Richard Edgecombe (?jr.), of do, goods. 

Thomas Edgecombe of do, goods. 



lE&oecombe 



The Subsidy for 1625, P. R. 0. 102-463 m. 78, for Plymouth does not pre- 
sent the name of Edgecombe. The Ermington family, the only case of a Nich- 
olas Edgecombe contemporary with him of Plymouth has already been 
alluded to. 

Tavistock, the home of the Edgecombe family until the settlement of 
representatives in Plymouth, is an ancient parliamentary borough on the Tavy, 
fifteen miles from Plymouth and thirty three miles from Exeter. It was one 
of the Stannary towns and was early the seat of woolen manufacture. The 
Abbey was formerly of importance. Adjoining Tavistock, and six miles 
between the villages, is Milton Abbot. In this parish is the hamlet of 
Edgecombetown. 

The Tavistock family were represented in the commercial life of Plymouth, 
and the more important branch seated at Mount Edgcumbe by reason of 
their proximity and position were also important factors in the town life. 

It was from Plymouth that Raleigh, Gilbert, Drake and, later, the Pilgrims 
sailed. There were fitted out the expeditions of Gorges and the ships of 
Trelawny. It was the port of departure of innumerable parties of emigrants 
for America and the destination of ships from America. No community in 
England was better informedof theactual conditions existing in New England, 
and the opportunities afforded there for advancement. 

For further details concerning the Mount Edgecumb family 
and the minor branches of the Edgecomb family in England the 
reader is referred to Vivian 's Visitations of Cornwall and Devon- 
shire, to the Dictionary of National Biography edited by Sidney 
Lee, to the printed visitations of Devonshire in the Harleian Society 
publications, and to printed collections relating to the peerage and 
gentry of England. Westcote describes the mansion at Mount 
Edgecumb. See also Jewett and Halls Stately Houses of England, 
and Luke's History of Plymouth^England.j 

The first appearance of John Edgecombe, Senior, of New London was 
about 1673.* His marriage was in February, 1673-4, and that he was a new 
comer there can be no doubt. f 

New London was much alarmed upon the outbreak of King Philip's 
War, with the attack upon Swansey, and when the scene of hostilities moved 
toward the Narragansett country, succeeding the campaign in central Massa- 
chusetts and the Connecticut valley, an order was issued (Oct. 1676) desig- 
nating six points to be immediately fortified. The second of these were the 
"houses of Mr. Christophers and Mr. Edgecombe" for defence of that neigh- 
borhood. J The courtesy title of "Mr." given him thus early in his residence 
proves that his social status was recognized. The times called for rigid dis- 
tinctions and no man obtained the dignity of "Mr." unless a minister, magis- 
trate, or of recognized social position. A law case reported in the Colonial 
Records of Connecticut in 16S1 shows that he carried on a tanning business in 
addition to his other interests. 

♦Miss Caulkins, History of New London. 

fRidlon in Saco Valley Settlements erroneously states that he had a grant of land from the 
Connecticut Assembly in 1663. 

JMiss Caulkins, who adds that this locality was in Main Street each side of Federal Street. 



Efcgecombe 



New London Records contain the following references to his family: 
John Edgecomb son of Nicholas Edgecomb of Plymouth, Old England, mar- 
ried to Sarah daughter of Edward Stallon, 9 Feb. 1673. 
Children:* 

John, born 14 Nov. 1675. 
Sarah, born 29 July 1678. 
Joanna, born 3 March 1679. [She married (intention, 2 Sept. 1716) Henry 

Delamore, and died 26 Jan. 1746-7. Hempstead Diary]. 
Nicholas, born 23 May, 1681. 

„ , } births not recorded. 

Samuel > 

John Edgecombe, Senior, married Elizabeth, widow of Joshua Hempstead, 
and 1 April 1704, John unites with his wife, administratrix of Joshua Hemp- 
stead's estate, in selling land. 

John Edgecombe died 11 April 1721, leaving a will dated 30 March 1721, 
proved 14 April 1721. To wife Elizabeth if she surrender her dower rights, 
etc. Eldest son John and his wife, who are to quitclaim all rights in his estate 
resulting from his "meddling" with the estate of Joshua Hempstead. To 
son Thomas. To daughters Sarah and Joanna. To son Samuel his dwelling 
house. Executors: said son Samuel and Capt. Christopher Christophers. 

New London Probate, Book B, page 401. 

The dower was set off to widow, and division of land made to daughters 
Sarah Bowles and Joanna Dilmore, 20 June 1723. 

In 1713, Massachusetts appointed a commission to enquire into and settle 
the claims to eastern lands vacated by the settlers during the Indian wars com- 
mencing in 1676. Among the most important claims was that of the heirs of 
Sir Richard Edgcumbe under a grant from Sir Ferdinando Gorges of 1637. 
John Edgecombe of New London appeared for these heirs. The entry in the 
record is as follows: 

"Mr. John Edgecumb, of New London in New England in behalfe of ye 
heires of Sir Richard Edgecumbe of Mounte Edgecumbe in the county of 
Devon Knt: Claimes all that Certain parcell of Land woods and Wood ground 
in Cascobay begining at the point and Enterance of the next River unto 
Sachadehock Tending towards the west and from ye Said Enterance by a 
direct line to Extend Two miles up into ye Inland parts thereby the western 
side of sd River, and from the Said point or Enterance of ye Same River to 
Extend along the Sea Coast of ye sd Bay by the Space of Two miles West- 
ward, and from ye End of ye Same to Extend up into the Inland by the Space 
of Two miles more and from ye End of that Two miles to cross over unto ye 
Said River To meet wth the End of ye Two miles up ye River as aforesaid 
To be in ye manner of a Square. Together wth all that Island or Islands and 
parcell of Land in Casco bay aforesd Called The Two Twins, or by wt other 
name the Same be Called &c. Also all that part or prcell of Land at or near 
ye Lake of New Summersett which is Conceived to be fouteen miles Distant 
from ye Shore of Casco Bay by a Northerly Line into the Inland parts wch 
parceil of Land is to Contain Eight Thousand acres, with all mines &c, as pr a 
Deed thereof from Sir Ferdinando Goges To sd Sr Richard Edgecumbe — Dated 

*The names of the children are suggestive. The eldest son and daughter named for the 
parents. The next named respectively for the father and mother of the father. The only name 
not found in the Plymouth family being that of Samuel. 



E&gecombe 



July the 3d, in ye Thirteenth year of King Charles &c anno Dom — 1637 — and 
sufficiently proved and attested. ' '* 

The wording of this claim follows closely the original grant, although certain 
phrases not necessary to record at that time are omitted. Not until 1727 
was the grant recorded. Moreover in the copy preserved in the Suffolk files, 
made from the original, probably forty years later, certain words given in the 
claim are indicated as lost showing conclusively that John Edgecombe must 
have been supplied with an exact copy, if not the original, on which to base 
his claim. 

The history of this grant is interesting and as it may have had much to 
do with John Edgecombe's settlement in New England, a brief resume 1 is here 
given. Williamson has noted it, but even the History of Brunswick, Me., by 
Wheeler, who gives an extended sketch of the Pejepscot proprietorship, makes 
no mention of it. 

The grant was of two distinct tracts, the most important in the eyes of 
the proprietors being the 8000 acres on the shore of what is now called Merry 
Meeting Bay, one of the most lovely sheets of water, and amidst the finest of 
scenery to be found in America. It extended according to a map supplied 
by the Pejepscot proprietors who acknowledged its legality, between the 
Abajagussett and Cathance rivers, embracing a large portion of the present 
town of Bowdoinham. The other "parcell" of two miles square cannot be so 
definitely located. Gov. Belcher located it in what is now the present town 
of Freeport and this appears to be the best adaptation of the boundaries. 
In which case it would have been to the south of and clear of the patent of 
prior date granted to Purchase and Way and in which Belcher Noyes was 
interested. Sir William Pepperrell, however, included Small Point, many 
miles to the east, in its limits which does not seem a proper location especially 
as it would have conflicted with the grant to Purchase. The river next to the 
Sagadahoc to the west, is a sufficiently vague description. Until one reaches 
the main coast south of Maire Point where Maquoit Bay forms an "enter- 
ance" for the little river Bunganock, which tends to the west, there is little 
opportunity to meet the requirements of the grant. The Twin Islands is so 
common a name as to be of little use in locating the grant. There are more 
than 300 islands in Casco Bay. At Maire Point, however, was settled before 

*Miss Caulkins in the History of New London mentions the Edgeumbe grant. She suggests 
that Nicholas Edgecombe who "was actively engaged in establishing a settlement on the bay 
(Casco), and himself visited in it 1658" was the father of John Edgecombe of New London. For 
erroneous surmises of earlier date regarding Nicholas Edgecombe of Casco Bay see History of 
Scarboro, Vol. Ill, Me. Hist. Soc. Col. and Folsom's History of Saco and Biddeford. Ridlon in 
Saco Valley Settlements devotes manv pages to the Edgecombes but failed to realize the fact 
that the imaginary visitor of 1658 was no other than the humble follower of Trelawny then called 
upon to acknowledge the supremacy of Massachusetts. 

The reader is referred to the Dictionary of National Biography, Jewitt's History of Plymouth, 
and Prince's Worthies of Devon, the principal sources apparently fo* Mr. Ridlon 's account of 
the Mt. Edgeumbe family. In 1658 Nicholas Edgecombe of Casco Bay had been twenty years 
in New England. He had served Trelawny at Winter Island as a fisherman from 1638 to 1642 
and either the latter vear or earlv in 1 643 married Wilmot Randall, another employee of Trelawny . 
See Trelawnv Papers, Baxter, pp. 190, 325, 327. He settled at Saco in 1660 and became a small 
landowner there, dying in 1681. His widow Wilmot was appointed administratrix on his estate. 
In 1678 she signed her name as Wellmeath Edgcome but elsewhere signed by mark She was 



jEfcaecombe 



1660 George Phippen,* whose father David had settled at Hingham in 1635, 
and whose uncle Rev. George Phippen in his will of 1650 bequeathes his right 
in a field in England held of Mr. Peirs Edgcumbe. The Phippens were an 
armorial family and it is barely possible that some prior acquaintance with the 
Edgcumbs had led to a settlement on land presumed to be within the Edg- 
cumbe grant. 

Sir Richard Edgcumbe, the grantee of Gorges, was one of the patentees 
named in the Great Charter of New England 3 Nov., 1620 (printed in full in 
Me. Hist. Soc. Col., 1900, page 21). His name is found mentioned in the records 
of the Council for New England, under date of July 5, 1622, as one of a com- 
mittee to which was referred the "businesse of Admittance of some of the 
Westerne Merchts to take into their consideracon ye election of six and who 
they shall bee. ' ' 

The share or adventure of a member was £ 1 10. This was for a " partner- 
shipp in ye Maine Land of New England' ' and did not include ventures in the 
ships building for the trade, nor could it have bought a share in trading profits. 

There is on file in the Suffolk Court among the evidences introduced in 
the law suit a century and a half later a copy of a letter addressed to Sir Richard 
Edgcumbe : 

"After our hearty commendations. 

We percieve by account of certain moneys paid in to the hands of Sir 
Ferdinando Gorges, for the imployment and affairs of New England, that 
among others of us therein nominated, there is disbursed by you 501b for the 
first payment of your adventure of £110, according to the Proposition made 
in the beginning of the Business, and for that we have found the charge, to be 
by much the greater, by reason that some of the first undertakers have failed 
in their p?rformance contrary to expectation, divers of us have since been 
willing to make a Supply of £50 more, rather than it should suffer any maner 
of unnecessary delay. By which means we have so far prevailed, as that we 
are in expectation to send away our main Plantation this present year. And 
therefor do earnestly desire that yourself whom We have found so worthily 
affected alreadv will be pleased to cause the remainder of your said Adventure 
to be sent to Doctor Goche the Treasurer for that Business with as much speed 

living in 1685. See York Deeds, printed. Nicholas was unable to write, and affixed his mark 
to several documents in which he appears. When he died it is stated by witnesses that he wished 
his son Robert to have his lands and car? for his mother. His estate was small. In 1688 John 
Edgcomb petitions Gov. Andross for liberty to enlarge his holdings to 100 acres and for confirma- 
tion of land at Saco \vh»rg he had 25 acres bought about six vears since from John Bonighton, 
two acres of marsh left him bv his father deceased, ten acres he bought of Philip Foxell, etc. Mass. 
Archives, 128, 220. In 1752 a suit was brought bv heirs of Ambrose Boden formerly of Spur- 
wink against John Rackley and others for trespass. Various depositions on file give valuable 
genealogical information. Nicholas Edgecombe, merchant, of Marblehead, and son of Susannah 
one of the daughters of Ambrose Boden, jr., was one of the plaintiffs. Suffolk files, 69, 418. Am- 
brose Boden was driven away by the Indians in 1700 and that same year a John Edgecombe is 
taxed in Salem (Salem records). 

Other children of Nicholas of Saco were Christopher and Michael (not Miles as stated by 
Ridlon), the latter aged 25 in 1676. All four sons were in the Black Point Garrison in Oct. 1676. 
(Bodge, King Philip's War, pp. 333, 336, 339.) A daughter Marv married, in 1664, George Page 
and later John Ashton and settled in Marblehead. Another daughter is said to have married a 
Pvncheon of Boston. The son Robert married Rachel daughter of James Gibbons. He died in 
1730, his wife in 1724. (See Ridlon: Saco Valley Settlements.) 

♦See Waters' Gleanings, page 996, also Maire Point papers in Putnam's Historical Magazine, 
Vol. IV, N. S., page 8. 



j£t>Gecombe 



as possible you may. We shall give a Bill of receipt under our common Seal 
for the same, with a Confirmation of such Conditions for your further Satis- 
faction as appertaineth to any of ourselves even so not doubting of your speedy 
answer hereunto We Committ you to God and rest 
Lenox Your very Loving Friends 

Holdernes. Arundell & Surrey 

White Hall Ferd Gorge. 

17 Aprilis 1623. 

To our verv loving Friend Sir Richard Edgcumbe (words "Baronett and" 
erased) Knight, at Mount Edgcombe near Plymouth." 

The records of the Council are extant for this period and show great activity 
among those most interested in the Patent but an equal lack of interest from 
others. In order to stimulate the dying interest in the plan of colonization it 
was voted to divide the whole territory among the patentees who had made 
their adventure good. On the 29 June 1623 the patentees drew lots for their 
shares. As the original charter provided for forty adventurers, and not that 
number were then participating, and yet as there were more than twenty the 
following order was passed the day preceding "itt is thought fitt that the land 
of New England be devided in this manner vizt. :-by 20 lotts and eache lott 
to conteyne 2 shares. And for that there are not full 40, and above 20 Adven- 
turers, that onely 20 shall drawe those lotts. And the rest that are already, 
or shall hereafter become Adventurers, shall have one of these shares butt 
the proprietor shall first chuse one of those shares and leave the other." 

Sir Richard Edgcumbe 's name is not among those who drew lots at Green- 
wich. What further part Sir Richard may have taken in Gorges' schemes 
is not known. The records of the Council for many years are lost. Nor is 
it known whose lot he shared. 

The plans of the original patentees failed and the settlement of New Eng- 
land took place under very different auspices. A brilliant and well ordered 
scheme for placing the country under Royal control was devised. A reorgan- 
ization was affected ; the great charter surrendered and the remaining eight 
patentees divided the whole territory, of which Gorges was to be royal gover- 
nor. In the last division of 3 Feb. 1635 Gorges received Maine as his share; 
he already held a patent for that part between the Sagadahoc and Piscataqua. 
It was under this grant that he in turn granted the territories mentioned above 
to Sir Richard Edgcumbe, perhaps in recognition of his original adventure, 
or more probably as suggested by Baxter to repay advances to Gorges.* 

Sir Richard Edgcumbe was buried at Maker 11 April 1639. The Civil War 
was about to open and his son and. successor Peirce Edgcumbe, a royalist, if 
interested was in no wise equal to making an attempt at colonization. He 
died in 1666. His son, another Sir Richard, married Lady Anne Montague 
and added to the family fortunes and influence. It was during his lifetime 
that John Edgecombe went to America and it is not unreasonable to suggest 



*It is probablv fortunate that the plans of Gorges failed. He will always receive the great 
credit due him for his earnest efforts in New England colonization and exploration. As Governor 
of the Fort and Island of Plvmouth he enjoyed the best of opportunities of interesting wide awake 
men of business in his colonial projects. The trading element of Plymouth represented many 
of the old and well established families in the west of England. Robert Trelawny, man of wealth 
and courage, who suffered for his loyalty to his King with his life, was most energetic in his devel- 
opment of his plantation at Winter Island in Casco Bay. 



io j^cjecombe 



that his going had something to do with the Edgcumbe grant. In 1683, Richard 
Wharton acknowledged the validity of the conveyance from Gorges,* 
evidently in the expectation that by so doing he would strengthen his own 
claim to the lands he had bought of the heirs of Purchase and Way. In 1714, 
Wharton 's title was conveyed to a small company who styled themselves the 
Pejepscot Proprietors, who soon found themselves involved in a controversy 
with the Kennebec Company who held under the old Plymouth Colonv grant, 
as to the extent of their lands especially to the westward, and which was finally 
compromised by accepting the southern boundary of Bowdoinham as their 
limit. 

Sir Richard died in 1688 in his forty ninth year and His next heir, a 
younger son, did not attain his majority until 1701. This long period in which 
there was no one to act, following King Philip's War and the virtual aban- 
doning of Eastern Maine for nearly forty years, would be sufficient cause for 
inaction by John Edgecombe if he held an agency from the Mount Edgcumbe 
family, t 

In 1720 John Usher, late Lt. Governor of New Hampshire, was in London 
and on the 10 Dec. 1720 Francis Nicholson, formerly Lt. Gov. of New England 
under Andros and since holding military and administrative offices in the 
Colonies, wrote to Richard Edgcumbe enclosing extracts from papers he had 
of John Usher then ''lodged at Mr. Peteets, barber, in Charles Court in the 
Strand, near York building and ready to give what account he can." 

Usher was the agent for the Massachusetts Bay Company in the transac- 
tion by which that company bought the Province of Maine from the Gorges 
heirs in 1677, much to the King's discomfiture, who was himself negotiating 
for its pur -hase, and Nicholson notes the part Usher took. He asks that 
information concerning the Edgcumbe claim be sent to him as soon as possible 
at Plymouth. Usher died at Medford in 1726,. and if his intention in calling 
Lord Edgcumbe 's attention to the matter of the Maine lands was to obtain 

tSee endorsement on map of 1755. Suffolk Files 139, 354. 

*The fortune of the Mount Edgcumbe family, a junior branch from the original sto k, and 
now represented by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, was established by Sir Richard Edg umbe or 
as the name was then spelled Edgecombe or Eggescome. He represented Tavistock in parliament 
in 1467. He took part in the rebellion of the Duke of Buckingham and was obliged to fly to 
France where he joined Henry Tudor Earl of Richmond, and followed him to England. He dis- 
tinguished himself at Bosworth Field, was knighted, given extensive lands, and much honored with 
public appointments. In 1487, he was sheriff of Devonshire. In 14S8, he was sent into Ireland and 
the following year on a mission to the Duke of Brittany and died at Morlaix 7 Sept. 1489. (Viv- 
ian corrects the generally accepted date of death as of 8 Sept.) By his wife Joan, daughter of 
Thomas Tremayne of Collacombe he had Piers, his successor, knighted in 1489, and who also was 
sheriff of Devonshire and engaged in the wars in France. He married Jane, daughter of Stephen 
Durnford, and through her obtained the extensive estates in Stonehouse. Piers died 14 Aug. 
1539 and was succeeded by his son Richard, knighted in 1537, and who is stated to have studied 
at Oxford. He was much honored and beloved, and was something of a scholar, one of his accom- 
plishments as related by his grandson, quoted bv Prince in his Worthies, being the ability to indite 
an excellent letter. A portion of the Stonehouse estates he erected in 1550-1.556, the mansion 
now standing, much changed, and called his estate Mount Edgcumbe. It fell to his lot to enter- 
tain distinguished visitors to Plymouth. The mother of his children was Winifred, daughter of 
Sir William Essex. He died 1 Feb. 1561-2 and was succeeded by his son Piers, also sheriff of 
Devonshire, M. P. for Cornwall, who died in 1607. Sir Richard the grantee was his son. He 
married Mary Coteele and had Piers who married Mary, daughter of Sir John Glanville, of a famous 
Devonshire family. Piers was buried at Calstock 17 Jan. 1666. His son Sir Richard was buried 



lEfcoecombe n 



authority to act for him in that matter, it came to nothing. It is not unlikely 
that the letter of John Edgerombe of New London mentioned in Auchmuty 's 
letter quoted below was in reply to enquiries addressed to him at this time. 

When Jonathan Belcher was in England in 1729 as one of the agents of 
Massachusetts he met Richard Edgcumbe. Burnet dying at this juncture, 
Belcher obtained the appointment of Governor in his stead. Such appoint- 
ments were secured only through the aid of powerful friends, and it seems 
probable that Belcher had enlisted Edgcumbe in his support. He undertook 
to do something for him in the matter of the Maine lands, and under date of 
18 Oct. 1732 writes from Boston that he "has not been idle in the matter com- 
mitted to his charge. ' ' He advises the erection of a building at Bunganock 
to hold that grant as settlers are beginning to encroach upon it, it being claimed 
by North Yarmouth. This is but a little earlier than the letter from Samuel 
Edgecombe of New London. Belcher lost his post in 1741, and in 1744 under 
date of 12 March we find Robert Auchmuty writing to Lord Edgcumbe from 
Boston, that he has just arrived and "cannot pursue his Lordship's right until 
the fate of this expedition is decided. ' ' His next letter gives an account of 
the Cape Breton expedition, mentioned in his last and, finally spurred to action 
he writes: 

Boston, Sept. 16, 1747. 
My Lord : 

In my sons packett I had the honor of receiving a copy of a letter from Mr. 
John Edgecombe to your Lordship dated 19 Sept. 1721 and another from 
Mr. Samuel Edgecombe dated 13 June, 1734: In less than a month I shall be 
in New London and make mvself master of all that can be gained from that 
familv respecting your Lordship 'a claims. 
To Richard Lord Edgecombe. 

Unfortunately there isno furtherreportfrom Auehmutynorare copiesof the 
New London letters on file. He had however, engaged the services of a "proper 
person" near the grant to look after the Edgcumbe interests. Probably 
this person was Sir William Pepperrell, the hero of Louisburg, who received 
a power of attorney in the matter 23 July, 1750 (Auchmuty* had died in April 

at Maker 6 April, 1688. Piers son of Sir Richard by Lady Anne Montague (daughter of the first 
Earl of Sandwich) died a minor and was succeeded by his brother Richard born in 1680, created 
Lord Edgcumbe in 1742 and who was buried at Maker 1 Dec. 1758. He it was who began active 
measures to prove his title to the Maine lands. Lord Edgcumbe married Marv Furnesse and had 
Richard, who died unmarried in 1761, and who was the friend of Horace Walpole and George 
Selwyn, and one of the most popular of young noblemen. At his death the title and estates 
passed to his brother George Edgcumbe, a brave and successful naval officer. Lord George Edg- 
cumbe served in the Mediterranean from 1739 to 1756, he was ordered thence to the American 
station and was at the reduction of Louisburg in 1758. It is probable that he mav have visited 
New England at this time. After 1770 he was not in foreign service. He died in 1795, a vice 
admiral. In 1789 he was created Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. He married Emma Gilbert, daugh- 
ter of the Archbishop of York. His descendant is the present Earl. An authenticated pedigree 
from Sir Richard who died in 1639 is filed among the evidences in the Maine land case, No. 
139, 354. Other details are taken from the Dictionary of National Biography. 

*Auchmutv was one of the most capable lawyers in New England. He settled in Boston 
about 1716 and was Judge of Admiraltvin 1728, and from 1733 to 1747 when he was superseded, 
which he considered most unjust treatment. He had been agent to England in 1743 and was 
attorney general of Massachusetts. He died in April, 1750, leaving a son Robert later Judge of 
Admiralty, and Rev. Samuel of New York both of whom were loyalists and refugees. Robert 
Sr., was a brother of ' 'Dean" Auchmuty probably of London. 



12 Edgecombe 



of that year), and that year we find a letter from Pepperrell alluding to his 
visit to Mount Edgeeumbe. He locates the Caseo Bay grant at Small Point 
and thinks the few settlers there will accept quitclaims of their lots. The 
conduct of the case was now in good hands, and although the deaths of both 
Lord Edgcumbe [Nov. 175S] and Sir William Pepperrell [6 July 17.59] took 
place soon after, causing delav, the claim was pushed under the power of 
attorney given to Nathaniel Sparhawk, Pepperrell's son-in-law. Thomas 
and Jeremiah Springer were placed on the grant at Merry Meeting Bay as 
tenants, who were immediately sued by James Bowdoin the holder of a grant 
of 3300 acres from the Kennebec Company, and in June 1769 the ease came 
to trial. at Portland, resulting in the victory of Bowdoin. This result was a 
foregone conclusion as soon as the Kennebec Company obtained an acknowl- 
edgment of their bounds in that direction as the title they held under took 
precedence of the grant to Sir Richard Edgeeumbe. Bowdoinham was incor- 
porated in 1762, and in 1766 the Pejepscot and Kennebec Companies reached 
an agreement accepting virtually the line between Topsham and Bowdoinham 
as their respective limits. 

Joshua Hempstead of New London kept a diary beginning as early as 
1711 and extending nearly through the whole of the years in which these 
attempts were being made to secure the Edgcumbe grant, but nowhere does 
he mention the matter. He frequently alludes to his "father Edgcumbe" 
and to the other members of the family. 

It is a strange coincidence how the principal persons concerned in the 
dispute over the grant were more or less prominent actors in the campaign of 
1745 which resulted in the fall of Louisburg.* 

Lord Richard Edgcumbe was at the time he took so active an interest 
in his American claim one of the Lords of Trade and hence in close touch with 
American affairs. At some time he became possessed of lands in York County 
to which Sir William Pepperrell alludes in one of his letters. Edgecombe, 
Maine, some distance east of the Edgcumbe grant perpetuates the name of 
this family which during the whole period of the existence of the New England 
colonies were so much in touch witli the principal actors in colonial affairs. 

John Edgecombe of New London was a fitting representative of the more 
distinguished family of Mount Edgcumbe. Beyond his connection with this 
grant comparatively little remains to be written about him. In 1702, 30 July, 
Gov. Fitz John Winthrop issued a commission to Mr. Richard Christophers, 
Capt. Benjamin Shaplv, Capt. John Prents, Mr. John Edgcomb, Lt. John 
Christophers, and Ensign John Hough ' ' to repair and put into a posture of 
defence" the fort at New London.! 

♦According to Auchmuty the entire credit of originating the scheme lay with him, he hav- 
ing pressed his suggestion to a successful conclusion while in England on business of the Prov- 
ince in 1743. Sir William Pepperrell was the commander, and was created a baronet in 1746. 
He visited England in 1749. In 1746 James Bowdoin went to England to urge the claim of the 
provincial seamen to a share in the prize money withheld by Admiral Warren, and was accom- 
panied by Capt. Prentis of New London who had commanded the Connecticut Colony sloop at 
the siege, and who visited Mount Edgcumbe to take part in Christmas festivities there in 1746. 
John Edgecombe, a grandson of the first John of New London, died in the armv, at Louisburg, 
in 1746. Lord George Edgcumbe himself was at the second taking of the place in 1758. 

fMass. Hist. Coll., Winthrop Papers, Part V. 



EDgecombe is 

In the latter years of his life he became involved in a lawsuit concerning 
the estate of his second wife's former husband, Joshua Hempstead, whose 
daughter his son had married. There are many references to this case in the 
Hempstead diary but apparently no ill feeling resulted. 

Joshua Hempstead notes under date of 11 April 1721, " Father Edgecomb 
died," and under date of 4 Dec. 1727, that his mother, who had been sick, 
died in fifteen minutes after the recurrence of a sudden painful attack. He 
notes that she was born in 1652 and was aged "73 3/4 almost."* 



* Diary of Joshua Hempstead, published by the New London Historical Society. 



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CmEFLT FROM VlTUN's CHARTS: WITH CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS RELATING TO THE PlTMOOTH r.\MU.Y m 

Words in Italic appear in the Heralds' Visitations. 

•John de Edgecumbe 1 named in deed of 1324 
[born about 1250J. 

♦Richard Edgecombe 1 of Edgecombe in Milton Abbot 1292: 
built Edgcombe House. 



•Ancestors of the New London family 



James, 
eldest son. 



•Richard Edgecombe 3 , succeeded 1319, 
2d son, named in deed of 1324. 



Reginald, a 
priest, 3d son. 



•John Edgecombe* 
s. £ h. living 1390. 



•John Edgecombe* 

b. & h. 1404. Deed 1425. 



•Richard Edgecombe* 
of Edgecombe 1465. 



Thomas, 
eldest son 
d. a. p. in 
lifetime of 
his father. 



Thomas 
of Milton 
Abbot 

4th son. 



Robert 
of St. 
Erney 
5th son. 



Roger 
of Meavy 
3d son. 



John of Heddington 
[according to Vivian, 
will 1533. a.p. mj 



John of Lamerton 
bur. 1 June 1587 
wife Alice d. 1589. 



Thomas 
4th son. 



[See Visitation of Devoti 
1620. Edgecombe of 
Tavistock.] 



Alice m. Thomas 
Hampden. 



Nicholas 
bp. 1552. 



*Peirae Edgecombe 9 
2d son 

"who dwelt at Tavis- 
tock, ' ' called also Peter 
and 3d son by Vivian. 



John 
of Mary 
Tavy. 



I 



Walter George 



Willia 



r,h n Edgecombe™ 
o: Tavistock, a. & ft. 
" Joane dau, of 
7 elawny. 



•John Edgecombe 7 
of Edgecombe, 2d son 
and heir. 



*John Edgecombe 9 
of Edgecombetown, 
par. of Milton. 
Vis. of 1620. 



*Richard Edgecombe* 

of Buckland Monachorum 

2d aon. 



Richard of Edgecumbe 

aon & heir. 
[See Vis. of Devon 1620.J 



[See Vis. of Devon 
1620. Edgcombe 
of Lamerton]. 



John 
2d son, 
d. in 
Ireland. 



ter Edgecombe 11 
''avistock s. & h. 



;iizb. 



A grits, wife 


1 

Alice 


1 

Richard 


1 
Matthew 


of Peter Edge- 


m. John 


a. & h. 


heir to his 


combe of Tavis- 


Hawkins. 


d. s. p.; 


bro. of Tav- 


tock, buried 




buried 


iatock, 1620; 


4 Sept. 1625 at 




20 June 


d. 1649. 


Tavistock. 




1649. 







*Richard of Tavistock 
Will 7 Dec. 1677: prov. 5 Feb. 
1578-9 P. C. C. Bacon 5: 
m. Agnes Durant. 

= [See Visitation Devon 1620. 

Edgcombe of Buckland Mona 



■«* 



Eiii 

1st dau. 
m. Geo. 
Gave of 
BarnBta- 
ble. 



Agnes 
2d dau. 
wife of 
John 
Pointer 
of Kedley. 



Joane 
3d dau. 
unm. 
1620. 



"A aone 
not christ- 
ened ' ' 1620 
[John bp. 3 
Sept. 1620) 
bur. 1656; 
mar. 1653, 
Mary, dau. of 
Richard Edge- 
cumbe. Will 
P.C.C. Ruthven. 



Eli*. Julian 

m. d. y. 

Hum- Julian 

phrey bp. 1629; 

Dyer. m.l65S-9 
Edw. Nos- 
worthy. 



Mary 
bp. 1631; 
m. 1664 
Henry 
Torr. 



Agnes 
bp. 

1634-5; 
d.y. 



John of 
Tavistock 
3d aon 
m. Elizb. 
2d dau. of 
Jo. Beard 
of Maudlin 
in Barnstable 
[bur. 7 Mar. 
1649-50, Tavis- 
tock. Will 
P. C. C. Grey 6. 
Merchant.] 
Widow 's will 
1 



Joseph 
2d son 
bp. 1626; 
bur. 1660 
at Tavis- 
tock. 



*Peter Edgcomb™ 
of Plimouth, 2 ' 
eone living 1620. 



[Vis. of Devon, 1620 
Edgcombe of Tavistock] 



Khz. 


au. 


oj A 




Coll 




■)/ P 


ft, 


ni. S 


1611 


at S W 


rewe. 



Plyi 



Thomas of Tavistock 
s. & h. living 1620, m. 
Anne dau. & h. of Edm. 
Furse of Onkehampton 
Merchant ofTavistock. 
WiU 1642-3, Rivera, 46. 



Richard 
s. & h. aet. 
21, 1620, 
d. 1661. 
Merchant. 



Robert 
2d son 
bur. 1626. 



Matthew 
3d son. 



Awdrye 
Will 1655. 



John 
bp. 1631; 
d. 1660. 



Francis 
bp. 1630. 



Mary Elitb. 

bp. 1628; bp. 1629. 
m. 1653 
John Edge- 
comb, son 
of John of 
1 avistocK. 



* Nicholaa Edgcombe™ 
aone tfr heyr aet. tf; 1620; 
bp. 21 June 1612. 
Will prov. 9 May 1702. 
P. C. 0. Hern 75. 

[married (1) 

niMrrie.l (2)1668. EliBb Tyacl. « 
of Xtoph. Tvack 
married (3) Mary Holditch I6'i 
Alderman of Plymouth 1P94. 



J? ran. 
2 'iaont. 



Elizb. 

bp. 30 Nov. 

1619. 



Peter 
a.& h. 
aet. it, 

1630; 
living 

1644. 



T 



Edmond Thomas John 
2d eon 3d son 4th son 
living living 
1643. 1643. 



d. s. p 

leaving 
nunc, will 
1645. 
Probably 
of Piscata- 
qua 1640. 



(j) Agnes 
Dorothy 

bp, 1624. WUmot 
France? 

bp. 1629 



(21 Ursula (l)M 
Margery bp.1619 



J oh an. a. 



Vbrfthi 

oata 
9. 



Mary 
bp. 1656. 



•John Edgecombe 1 * 
of New London. N. E.; 
married 1674; d. 1721; 
aged. Founder of the 
Connecticut family. 



Elixabet. 
d. 1669. 




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